New here
 

:woohoonaner:
I'm trying to find a pic of musa "cheeka" and get some information.
I live in centralAlabama, zone 8. I have different bananas but nothing exotic like AeAe. Getting too old to haul things in and out of the greenhouse.
Hoping to learn some things.
We extended the courtyard to make a tropical garden more or less. It is a protected area from the winds. Will be trying some plants more for zone 8b but only if I have 2 of the plants. Will overwinter one in the greenhouse.
Lynn

Re: New here
 

Welcome Lynn!:bananas_b

Should checkout Main Page - Bananas Wiki for pictures or member galleries!

Re: New here
 

I can tell you its a new culitvar not yet named offically, its a dwarf variety its actually sold under the name Musa Cheeka, Looks like it may be in the Dwarf Cavendish as far as size etc. My plant has grown leaps & bounds, produced several pup's this year. My local bursery sells the baby plants 4-6" for $10 and the 3 gallon plants for $25. I purchased 1 5 gallon plant for $75 back in June. I did have to haggle & break out the cash for $75 deal though. You can see photo's in my gallery.

Bill

Re: New here
 

Here is one of Bill's photo of M. Cheeka:


Here's another:

Re: New here
 

Chong has my biggest plant from the mother plant! He'll be posting pictures soon of his jewell.

Thanks for posting photo's Chong.

Bill

Re: New here
 

Hi Bill,
My wife said that there was a package that arrived this afternoon. Said it looks like plants, again! LOL! Can't wait to get home to look see them. BTW, is the pup you sent me the one of the first picture? The suspense is killing me!

Chong

Re: New here
 

Well, I hope they're tagged right, Bill. Of all places, I found 2 of these at the commissary little plant section for $3.99 each. They are about 2 ft tall in a gallon pot.
From all appearances, they are a dwarf. They are tagged but you know how that is not always necessarily true with tags. Thay had 3. I should have got the other one!!
Thank you for the information. It will greatly help me on the care of them.
I had done a search in the different areas but came up with nothing. Being new, I may have not done it right.
Thanks again
Lynn

Re: New here
 

Glad to have you join us Lynn! Hope the Cheekas you found are taggged at that price - it would be a great deal!
Bill is sending some to me too. Thanks Bill!!!

Re: New here
 

I certainly hope they are tagged right. They look like the one in Bill's 2nd pic. The leaves branch close together.
I also got a variegated with pink rubber tree for $5.99 and a 3 gal large Ixora or $9.99. I could not believe the prices. Think I'll go back to see what they have tomorrow and if more in the back.
Sometimes you can find a bargain when not looking for it!
Lynn

Re: New here
 

Well, sho' nuff they got here, considering Bill only sent them a couple of days ago - from Clemson to Seattle! Here's what the box looked like:

If the shoe don't fit, push real hard!

Here's a close-up of the upper part:


Here's what were inside:

From the top: Alocassia (freebie bonus - Thanks Bill!)(What variety is that?), M. Cheeka, M. velutina, M. Ventricosum

Thanks Bill!!!

Chong

Re: New here
 

Good ol' postal service - handle carefully as a priority mail. Sure do. I hate to get packages like that.
Got a suggestion. Those are really nice plants. Why not mail them to Alabama and see how they do??? heh heh. Worth a try anyway. :O)
Lynn

Re: New here
 

Well Lynn,
I'm sure they'd do better over there. What with our temperatures at night being in the mid to high 50s now. But I'm a very sentimental guy. I'd hate for them to go through what they've just been through. It broke my hear t to see them like this. Tell you what, maybe when they're a lot better? And pupping? Well, maybe.

Chong

Re: New here
 

Jus teasing. I have received plants priority and even marked in big letters LIVE PLANTS and they still look like they went through a crusher machine. I know how I felt but won't repeat what I said. Sometimes I wonder if the more info we put on a box for careful handling, the more they'll get damaged.
I hope they do well for you.
Lynn